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Coronavirus News LATEST Updates: The Centre on Thursday approved a proposal to provide financial assistance to families of 26 more journalists who lost their lives to COVID-19. Maharashtra recorded 21,273 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the state’s infection tally to 56,72,180, while 425 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 92,225, the health department said. The Centre on Thursday directed states and union territories to continue the ongoing COVID-19 guidelines till June 30 and asked them to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of cases to check the spread of the deadly disease. The Delhi government on Thursday declared mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notified disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 Any significant adverse effect is unlikely if the second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine is administered, but reaching a firm opinion on this will need more scrutiny and understanding, the Centre said on Thursday. Delhi recorded 1,072 new COVID-19 cases and 117 more fatalities on Thursday, while the positivity rate dipped to 1.53 percent, according to a health bulletin issued. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the extension of the lockdown in the state till June 15 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was called out for misinformation over Pfizer vaccines. In a tweet, she said that “As of now, no country in the world is giving vaccines to children.” Addressing a press briefing, joint health ministry secretary Lav Agarwal said that India is registering a decline in new cases for the past 20 days. “24 states have also registered a decline in active cases,” he added In a statement on ‘Myth and Facts on India’s Vaccination Process’, NITI Aayog member VK Paul said vaccines approved by regulatory bodies of different countries will not be required to undergo bridging trials in India. “The provision has now been further amended to waive off the trial requirement altogether for the well-established vaccines manufactured in other countries,” he is quoted as saying in the statement. As soon as Pfizer indicated vaccine availability, the central government and the company started working together for the earliest possible import of the vaccine, NITI Aayog member VK Paul said on Thursday. The Delhi High Court Thursday said that since any person can import Amphotericin B, the same may be cleared by accepting the bond from the importer without actual payment of duty till a final decision on this aspect is taken. The court said that Amphotericin B, used for treating black fungus is required to save lives of people suffering all over the country and so the Central Government should consider complete waiver of import duties of the drug for a limited period. The states which are most affected by black fungus are Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. The supply will be increased to 3,52,000 vials for June, said the Central government in Bombay High Court on Thursday. ASG Anil Singh, appearing for the Central government, in the Bombay High Court on Thursday said that from 11 to 26 May, 42,690 vials of Amphotericin drug were allocated for Maharashtra. The total supply has been around 80,000 vials. Maharashtra has taken initiative to start in-house manufacturing of Amphotericin, drug used in treatment of Mucormycosis or black fungus, in Haffkine biopharma, said AG Ashutosh Kumbhakoni in Bombay High Court on Thursday. “Procurement of raw material was completed on Wednesday. The first batch will be available around 6 June,” said Kumbhakoni, adding, “40,000 vials of Amphotericin will be manufactured in Haffkine biopharma.” The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to take all steps to augment the supply of medicines for black fungus. It also noted that cases of infection were seen in Pune, Kohlapur and in Bombay. There are 3,200 cases of black fungus now, said Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the state, in the high court on Thursday. With India recording 211,298 fresh coronavirus infections, the daily positivity currently stands at 9.79 percent. It has been less than 10 percent for three consecutive days now, the health ministry said. As many as 21,57,857 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Wednesday, taking the total number of such exams done so far in the country over 33.69 crore. The weekly positivity rate has also declined and now stands at 10.93 percent. India registered 2,11,298 fresh corornavirus infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the cumulative tally over 2.73 crore, according to the Union health ministry’s data updated on Thursday. With the death of 3,847 more patients in a span of 24 hours, the overall toll in the country climbed to 3,15,235 on Thursday, the health ministry data updated at 8 am showed. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.15 percent. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s updated data, the tally of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai rose to 7,01,266 with the addition of 1,362 cases in the past 24 hours, while the toll jumped to 14,742 after 34 more patients succumbed to the infection. Mumbai reported 34 new fatalities due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, the lowest single-day toll since 13 April, said the city civic body. On 13 April, Mumbai had reported 26 fatalities. In the last 36 days, the city has added 1 lakh coronavirus cases to its tally. The financial capital had crossed the 6-lakh case mark on 21 April. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 20.25 crore, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday. It said 8,31,500 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group received the first dose of vaccine on Wednesday and cumulatively 1,38,62,428 people across 37 states and union territories have received it since the start of Phase-3 of the vaccination drive on 1 May. Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have administered the first dose of vaccine to more than 10 lakh beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group, the ministry said. According to provisional data, the total number of vaccine doses administered across the country so far stands at 20,25,29,884, it said. The beneficiaries include 98,08,901 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 67,37,679 HCWs who have taken the second dose; 1,52,42,964 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose and 84,00,950 FLWs who have taken the second dose; and 1,38,62,428 individuals in the 18-44 age group who have taken the first dose. Besides, 6,26,09,143 and 1,01,11,128 beneficiaries in the 45-60 age group have been administered the first and second dose respectively while 5,73,45,128 and 1,84,11,563 beneficiaries aged above 60 have taken the first and second dose. As many as 17,19,931 vaccine doses were administered on Wednesday, the 131st day of the vaccination drive. According to provisional data, 15,76,982 beneficiaries were administered the first dose and 1,42,949 received the second dose, the ministry said, adding that final reports for the day would be completed by late night. The vaccination exercise, as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country against COVID-19, continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, it said.
Coronavirus News Updates: Centre approves Rs 5 lakh assistance for families of 67 journalists who died of COVID-19 this year
Coronavirus News Updates: The Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) committee, which has been setup for this, would meet every week to expedite applications for financial assistance
 "Coronavirus News Updates: Centre approves Rs 5 lakh assistance for families of 67 journalists who died of COVID-19 this year")
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Despite its own needs, India ensured supply of medicines to 123 countries: Vardhan
India ensured the supply of medicines to 123 partner countries despite its own needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and has also been active in global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines to tackle the infection, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.
He was speaking during a virtual interaction with health ministers of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) countries. Tedros, Director-General, World Health Organisation was also present in the meeting.
Reiterating that India shall always strive for the ‘health of all’, Vardhan said, Despite its own needs, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we ensured supply of medicines to 123 partner countries, including 59 NAM nations. India has also been active in global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19 because we know and understand that no one is safe until everyone is safe.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Chhattisgarh records 2,824 new COVID-19 cases, 69 deaths
Chhattisgarh on Thursday reported 2,824 COVID-19 casesand 69 deaths, taking the infection count to 9,62,368 and death toll to 12,848, a health official said.
The number of recoveries rose to 9,00,100 after 1,170 patients were discharged from hospitals while 5,545 others completed home isolation during the day. The number of active cases in the state stands at 49,420, the official informed. Raipur district reported 94 newcases,taking its total count to 1,55,499, including 3,085 deaths.
Surguja recorded 266 newcases, Surajpur 208 and Koriya 190, among other districts.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
I&B ministry approves Rs 5 lakh assistance to kin of 67 journalists who died of COVID-19
The Centre on Thursday approved a proposal to provide financial assistance to families of 26 more journalists who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Dependents of each of these journalists will get the financial relief of Rs 5 lakh under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), the government said in a statement.
Today, the central government approved a proposal of the Journalist Welfare Scheme committee, headed by I&B ministry secretary Amit Khare, to provide financial relief of Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of 26 journalists who died due to COVID-19, the ministry said.
The committee also considered the applications of families of 11 journalists who had passed away due to reasons other than the infection, it said.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
PIL in HC to urgently vaccinate children between 12-17 years against COVID-19
Children between 12-17 years of age should be immediately vaccinated as there is an apprehension that a likely third wave of COVID-19 could affect them more, a PIL in the Delhi High Court claimed.
The plea, which is listed for hearing on Friday before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, also seeks priority in vaccination to parents of children upto 17 years of age as several kids were orphaned after their parents succumbed to COVID-19 during the second wave.
There are two petitioners in the matter — the first is a minor represented through her mother and the second is the mother with a minor child.
The petition filed through advocates Bihu Sharma and Abhinav Mukerji, claims that according to the data of number of persons infected between April 2021 to May 2021, the number of reported cases where children were infected “has risen tremendously” than last year.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Maharashtra reports 21,273 COVID-19 cases, 425 deaths
Maharashtra recorded 21,273 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the state’s infection tally to 56,72,180, while 425 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 92,225, the health department said. Out of the 425 deaths, 267 occurred in the last 48 hours and 158 during the the last week, it said.
The state also added another 459 deaths to the cumulative figure due to updating of fatalitycounts by various civic bodies and districts. Hence, the overall death toll went up by 884 compared to Wednesday, the department said. Recoveries outnumbered the daily detections by more than 13,000.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Patanjali says ‘received’ legal notice from IMA, will give ‘befitting reply’
Patanjali Yogpeeth on Thursday confirmed that it has received a defamation notice served by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), demanding an apology from Yoga Guru Ramdev over remarks on allopathy, and said it will give legally a “befitting reply”.
While responding to an e-mail query by PTI, a statement from the Patanjali Yogpeeth quoting General Secretary Acharya Balkrishna confirmed it and said: “We will give them befitting reply legally which way we do all things while serving our great motherland and humanity.”
The Haridwar-based organisation also said that Patanjali carries all the activities with “scientific and truthful temperament” and “cannot allow anyone to disparage, neglect and demean the great knowledge and science of rishis and scriptures”.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Madhya Pradesh records 1,977 COVID-19 cases, 70 deaths
The COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh rose to 7,73,855 on Thursday with the addition of 1,977 fresh cases, while 70 more deaths pushed the fatality count to 7,828, the state health department said. Recoveries outnumbered the new coronavirus cases by more than 4,800.
A total of 6,845 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the count of recoveries in Madhya Pradesh to 7,27,700, the department said. With this, the state now has 38,327 active cases, it said.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Caseload crosses 25 lakh-mark in Karnataka
The number of COVID-19 infections in Karnataka on Thursday crossed the 25 lakh mark, as the state recorded 24,214 new cases and 476 fatalities, the health department said. The day also saw 31,459 discharges, continuing to outnumber the fresh cases.
Out of the new cases, 5,949 were from Bengaluru Urban, as the city saw 6,643 discharges and 273 deaths. As of May 27 evening, cumulatively 25,23,998 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 27,405 deaths and 20,94,369 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin.
Active cases stood at 4,02,203.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Mumbai logs 1,266 new COVID-19 cases, 36 deaths
Mumbai reported 1,266 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 36 fatalities, which pushed its overall count to 7,02,532 and death toll to 14,778, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. This is for the second consecutive day that the number of one-day COVID-19 fatalities remained below 40.
Mumbai’s daily COVID-19 case count dipped by around 100 as compared to Wednesday, while the number of deaths went up by two.
The financial capital of the county had reported the highest ever 11,163 COVID-19 cases on April 4, while it had witnessed the highest number of 90 deaths on May 1, during the second wave.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Telangana logs 3,614 fresh COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths
Telangana on Thursday reported 3,614 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to over 5.67 lakh, while the toll stood at 3207 with 18 more casualties, a government bulletin said.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 504, followed by Nalgonda (229) and Khammam (228), the bulletin said. The state has38,267 active cases and over 90,000 samples were tested.
The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at5,67,517 while with3,961being cured, the total recoveries were at 5,26,043. Cumulatively, over 1.48 crore samples have been tested.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Black Fungus declared as notified disease in Delhi
The Delhi government on Thursday declared mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notified disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
This has been done because “the ordinary provisions of law for the time being in force are insufficient,” the Delhi government’s official notification stated.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
MHA orders continuation of ongoing COVID guidelines till 30 June
Order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to ensure compliance to containment measures for COVID19 to remain in force up to 30th June 2021: MHA pic.twitter.com/8DZVqy8tu6
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Maharashtra COVID-19 curbs to continue, graded easing later: Uddhav Thacekray
The Maharashtra government will extend the coronavirus-enforced lockdown-like curbs in the state after June 1 and relax them later in a phased manner, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday.
Thackeray issued necessary directives in this regard to the state administration during a cabinet meeting, said a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Currently, a wide range of restrictions are in force till June 1 to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The statement quoted Thackeray as saying that precautions are needed at the moment even though case positivity rate (percentage of people who test positive from among those tested) in the state is reducing.
“In 10 to 15 districts, the positivity rate is still very high. Besides, there is threat of the black fungus infection (found in recovering/recovered coronavirus patients).
“Today the daily case count has reduced and reached the numbers recorded in September last year. We still need to take precautions,” Thackeray said.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Meghalaya reports 12 COVID-19 deaths, 809 new cases
Meghalaya’s COVID-19 tally surged to 33,104 as 809 more people tested positive for the virus, while 12 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 524, a senior health department official said on Thursday.Health Services Director, Aman War said of the 12 COVID-19 deaths, 11 were reported in East Khasi Hills district and one in West Jaintia Hills district. Meghalaya currently has 8,255 active COVID-19 cases, he said. The health services director said 597 patients recuperated from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 24,325.The state has so far tested over 5.9 lakh samples for COVID-19, he said.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Vaccination for 18-44 group remains suspended for 4th day in Delhi
Around 34,000 people were vaccinated in Delhi on May 26 and the majority of jabs were provided by private hospitals, AAP MLA Atishi said on Thursday, highlighting the acute shortage of vaccines the city government has been grappling with.
She also said 42 percent of the people (24.32 lakh) in the 45 plus category have received at least one dose of vaccine. “This is the fourth consecutive day that the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group has remained suspended,” Atishi said.
It’s a cause for serious concern. Delhi has not received any more doses from the manufacturers so far. The makers have made it clear that they have been supplying vaccine to states according to the directions by the Centre, she said.
“As many as 34,147 people got vaccinated on May 26. Of this, most of the jabs were given at private hospitals,” Atishi said.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Patients have right to life, can’t be given preference over others, says Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court Thursday said every patient has a right to life and to live with dignity but it cannot give privilege to anyone over other patients for providing medicine to treat black fungus, primarily affecting those recovered or recovering from COVID-19.
The court said it was sure that a patient’s granddaughter, who was seeking direction from the government and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to provide sufficient number of vials of Amphotericin B to him, was not seeking any preferential treatment over other patients.
Since the petitioner has now been included in the system set up in place for allocation of medicine for treatment of black fungus, we are hopeful that further allocation will be made while making it for other patients at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital as well, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said.
Advocate Iqra Khalid, granddaughter of the 80-year-old patient, informed the court that as they missed one dose of the injection on May 23 when it was not available, the infection got spread to the orbit and sinus and two bones had to be removed and before this also he underwent two surgeries due to the infection.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
No adverse effect if second dose of different COVID-19 doses taken, but it needs scrutiny: Centre
Any significant adverse effect is unlikely if the second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine is administered, but reaching a firm opinion on this will need more scrutiny and understanding, the Centre said on Thursday.
It, however, clarified that both doses administered to an individual should be of the same vaccine as per the existing protocol.
The clarification comes following reports that health workers in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district administered Covaxin to 20 villagers who had been given Covishield in the first dose.
NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul said the incident needed to be investigated. “Any significant adverse effect is unlikely if the second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine is given. In fact, there is a narrative that is going on that taking doses of two different vaccines can lead to stronger immunity… but for a firm opinion, more scrutiny and understanding will be required, he said at a presser.
Commenting on the UP incident, he said, “Even if it has happened, it should not be a cause of concern for the individual, but I urge all health workers to give second dose of the same vaccine.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Maharashtra govt unlikely to lift COVID-19 curbs from 1 June: Rajesh Tope
The Maharashtra government is unlikely to lift the lockdown-like curbs in the state after June 1 since the COVID-19 positivity rate was more than 10 percent in 21 districts, health minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday.
However, relaxation in statewide restrictions, in force till June 1 to stem the spread of coronavirus, can be given in places where the case positivity rate is less, he said.
Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Tope said an elaborate presentation on the COVID-19 situation was made during the meet and it revealed the case positivity rate (percentage of people testing positive among those tested) was more than 10 percent in 21 districts (out of 36 districts).
“The cabinet felt it wasn’t right to lift the curbs presently in force altogether,” he said, adding relaxation can be given in places where positivity rate is less.
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Odisha one-day Covid cases dip as fewer tests done due to Cyclone Yaas, says official
Odisha on Thursday registered 6,736 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in May, taking the state’s caseload to 7,32,739, while 34 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 2,618, a health department official said.
However, the low spike of coronavirus cases can be attributed to the relatively low number of tests conducted in the last 24 hours in the wake of Cyclone Yaas which made landfall on the state’s coast on Wednesday morning, he said. While 69,407 samples were examined on Tuesday, the number of such tests on Wednesday was only 46,241, he said.
Despite the cyclone, the health officials conducted tests in the worst-hit Balasore and Bhadrak districts and 71 and 206 new cases were detected from there respectively.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
High fatality rate in 12 districts in Maharashtra
Though new coronavirus cases are showing a steady decline in Maharashtra, the high fatality rate in 12 districts in the second COVID-19 wave remains a cause of concern for the government, officials said on Thursday.
Maharashtra, which was recording more than 60,000 new cases daily at the peak of the second COVID-19 wave, is now registering less than 30,000 infections, reflecting an improvement in the overall situation.
However, a dozen districts, most of them in the Vidarbha region and some of them tribal-dominated, have been hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic which began sweeping the state from mid-February.
These districts are Sindhudurg (Konkan region) Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli (Marathwada), Amaravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha, Washim, Gadchiroli (Vidarbha) and Nandurbar (North Maharashtra). The non-availability of adequate healthcare infrastructure is being cited as the main reason for high death rate in these districts.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Sikkim reports highest single-day spike of 408 COVID-19 cases
Sikkim reported the highest single-day spike of 408 COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 14,214, a health department bulletin said on Thursday. The COVID-19 death toll in the Himalayan state rose to 240 as one more person succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, it said.
Of the new cases, East Sikkim district registered 216 cases followed by West Sikkim (97), South Sikkim (75) and North Sikkim district (20). Sikkim how has 3,604 active COVID-19 cases, while 10,158 patients have recovered from the disease, the bulletin said. At least 212 COVID-19 patients have migrated to other states, it said.
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Punjab expands 18-44 age group priority list
Amid a shortage of anti-coronavirus vaccines, the Punjab government on Thursday expanded the vaccination priority list for the 18-44 age group. It will be effective from June 1, a government statement said.
The new priority list includes those from the hospitality sector, shopkeepers and their staff, industrial workers, street vendors, delivery boys, bus and cab drivers, conductors and members of local bodies.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who chaired a coronavirus review meeting here, said as of date, 4.3 lakh individuals in the existing vaccination priority list of construction labour, co-morbid individuals and families of healthcare workers have been vaccinated.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Uttar Pradesh reports 188 new deaths, 3,278 cases
Uttar Pradesh reported 188 fresh COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday as the death toll due to the viral disease rose to 19,900, while the infection tally reached 16,83,866 with 3,278 new cases, officials said.
“In the last 24 hours, 3,278 fresh cases were reported, while 6,995 COVID-19 patients recovered from the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,05,696,” Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.
The state witnessed 188 fresh deaths, taking the toll to 19,900 from 19,712 on Wednesday. The recovery rate in the state is now 95.4 percent, while the number of active cases came down by 81.26 percent since April 30 when a peak of 3,10,783 active cases were reported.
The active COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 58,270, the official said, adding that the figure includes 34,508 patients who are in home isolation.
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West Bengal extends lockdown till 15 June
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the extension of the lockdown in the state till June 15 to contain the spread of Covid-19. The ongoing lockdown in West Bengal was to end on May 30. West Bengal reported 16,225 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the tally to 13,18,203, a health department bulletin said.
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Delhi reports 1,072 new COVID-19 cases, 117 more deaths
The national capital recorded 1,072 new COVID-19 cases and 117 more fatalities on Thursday, while the positivity rate dipped to 1.53 percent, according a health bulletin issued here. Delhi had recorded 130 COVID-19-related fatalities on Wednesday, the lowest since April 15. It had recorded 1,491 new cases and a positivity rate of 1.93 per cent on Wednesday.
Delhi reports 1072 new #COVID19 cases, 3725 recoveries and 117 deaths in the last 24 hours.
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
Total cases 14,22,549
Total recoveries 13,82,359
Death toll 23,812
Active cases 16,378
Positivity rate 1.53 % pic.twitter.com/BXghvbLODX
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Nirmala Sitharaman called out for misinformation over Pfizer vaccines
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was called out for misinformation over Pfizer vaccines. In a tweet, she said that “As of now, no country in the world is giving vaccines to children.”
This was called out by multiple Twitter users, who corrected the minister saying that Canada, the US and UAE have already authorised the use of Pfizer vaccine in children older than 12 years and vaccinating children.
Recently, even Moderna said its coronavirus vaccine was effective and it strongly protects kids as young as 12, a potential step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for school-aged children in America.
As per PTI, in US, about 14 percent of the nation’s 15 million kids ages 12 to 15 have received their first shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among 7.5 million teens ages 16 and 17, that number goes up to 34%, and about 22% have had both shots, according to the figures released Monday.
As of now,no country in the world is giving vaccines to children.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 27, 2021
WHO has no recommendation on vaccinating children.
Trials on children in India are going to begin soon.
The decision is to be taken by scientists after data is available based on trials. https://t.co/Ib7iz5XP6t
Incorrect. UAE, Canada and US have authorized vaccines for children aged 12+ https://t.co/C2ZnZYsxrF pic.twitter.com/LcJ3S10pjx
— SamSays (@samjawed65) May 27, 2021
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HC seeks to know steps BMC is taking to tackle rising COVID-19 cases among kids
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that till May 9, around 12,000 children have got infected with COVID-19 in the city.
BMC’s advocate, senior counsel Anil Sakhre told a bench of Justices Amjad Sayyad and G S Kulkarni that 17 children have died due to the virus in the city so far.
The high court sought to know from the civic body what was being done to ensure that children are provided timely and adequate treatment.
Sakhre told the high court that the BMC has upgraded the health infrastructure in the city to prepare for the imminent third wave of the pandemic.
He said that the state had made special arrangements to treat children affected by COVID-19.
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3,200 cases of black fungus recorded in state: Maharashtra govt to Bombay HC
The Maharashtra government on Thursday informed the Bombay High Court that the state has so far recorded 3,200 cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, a serious infection being found in COVID-19 patients.
As against Maharashtra’s requirement of 14,000 vials per day, the state was receiving only 4,000 to 5,000 doses each day, the state’s counsel, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, told the court.
He said there were “very few” manufacturers of anti- mucormycosis drugs and injections, hence there was a shortage across the country.
“There are 3,200 cases of mucormycosis as of now in the state. Mucormycosis has been declared a notified disease, so when the health-care establishment receives a patient, they have to inform public health officials, so at the state-level we can have complete data of patients,” he told the HC.
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In talks with Pfizer for prompt vaccine procurement: VK Paul
“We are in talks with Pfizer and are looking at July availability,” said V.K. Paul. Pfizer has asked for vaccine indemnity, a decision will be taken keeping in mind the larger good of the people, he adds. India has a robust system to record deaths due to COVID and stories/ articles about unaccounted deaths are baseless, said Health Ministry spokesperson Lav Agarwal, citing a New York Times article on floating
We are engaged with Pfizer as they've indicated the availability of a certain volume of vaccines in the coming months, possibly in July. They've requested indemnity against liability to all the nations. We are examining this request. There is no decision as of now: Dr VK Paul pic.twitter.com/Mn1GMfLKqw
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
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Vaccine wastage calculated in a systematic manner, says Centre
Taking aboutbout wastage of vaccines, Lav Aggarwal said, it is calculated in a systematic manner from across India. “States put this in on the COVID dashboard. This is reviewed in State meetings also. States provide these data,”
This comes after the Centre claimed earlier this week, that despite urging states repeatedly to keep vaccine wastage below 1 percent, states such as Jharkhand (37.3 percent) and Chhattisgarh (30.2 percent) – figures disputed by both the state government – were reporting much higher wastage than the national average (6.3 percent ).
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Noting stabilisation of the second wave in India, says Centre
“We are now noting a stabilisation of the second wave in India, Dr VK Paul said. “It’s reassuring that we are on the downswing of the second wave, and it will be sustained if restrictions open up systematically as the time comes,” Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog said on Thursday.
It's reassuring that we are on the downswing of the second wave, and it will be sustained if restrictions open up systematically as the time comes: Dr VK Paul Member-Health, Niti Aayog pic.twitter.com/a8hm1UE5V6
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
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24 states have seen decline in active cases, says Centre
Addressing the press on Thursday, Health Ministry on the COVID19 situation said the 24 states have reported a decline in active cases since last week.
“Overall recoveries are now exceeding the number of cases being reported on a daily basis. The recovery rate has increased from 85.6% to 90% now, it’s a positive indication,” the ministry said.
“The decline in COVID cases has happened with on going restrictions in almost all States across India, " said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.
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Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Maharashtra announces paediatric task force to prepare for third wave
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday announced the setting up of a paediatric task force, comprising 13 experts from the state, to prepare for the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which children are likely to be affected.
Tope in a statement said noted paediatrician Dr Suhas Prabhu will be the chief of the 13-member task force, while Tatyarao Lahane, the director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, will be its member secretary.
An order in this regard was issued on Thursday by Dr Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary of the public health department, it was stated.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Delhi hospital reports ‘first-ever’ case of white fungus causing severe damage to intestine
Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) has come across a first-of-its-kind case of white fungus causing multiple perforations throughout the intestine in a COVID-19 patient, doctors said on Thursday. There have been reports of white fungus causing one or two perforations in the intestine of people suffering from COVID-19. In this case, there were multiple small holes starting from the food pipe down to the large intestine, Dr Anil Arora, Chairman of the Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences at the hospital, said. White fungus (candida) causing multifocal perforations in the food pipe, small bowel and large bowel in COVID-19 infection has not been reported in literature to the best of our knowledge The case was also discussed with specialists from the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston three days ago, he said.
PTI
Sewage surveillance system launched in Bengaluru for early detection of COVID-19
Alarmed by the rising COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has launched the city-wide sewage surveillance system to track the virus even
among asymptomatic individuals at its early stage. To begin with, it will start from 45 wards in which samples will be collected by next week in order to identify
the infection clusters for better resource management, an official statement read. “The system will cover over 75 percent of Bengaluru’s nine million population by generating over 90 data points per week signalling the emerging COVID-19 clusters or signalling a COVID-19 clusters exit from an area. We are happy to launch this model in Bengaluru, first in India,” the statement quoted the Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Rakesh Singh as saying.
PTI
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Maharashtra announces paediatric task force to prepare for COVID-19 third wave
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday announced the setting up of a paediatric task force, comprising 13 experts from the state,
to prepare for the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which children are likely to be affected. Tope in a statement said noted paediatrician Dr Suhas
Prabhu will be the chief of the 13-member task force, while Tatyarao Lahane, the director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, will be its member secretary. An order in this regard was issued on Thursday by Dr Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary of the public health department, it was stated.
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
2,290 kids in Maharashtra lost one or both parents due to COVID-19, says report
As many as 2,290 children in Maharashtra have lost either one or both their parents due to the coronavirus infection so far, sources said on Thursday. While 2,183 children lost one parent, 107 others lost both the parents during the pandemic, the sources in the state Women and Child Development Department said. “The government has got custody of 10 out of the 107 children as there is nobody to look after them,” they said. The data about the orphaned children has been compiled based on the inputs given by the district task forces headed by the collectors.
The government had set up a 10-member task force in each of the 36 districts in the state to identify the children, who were orphaned due to the pandemic.
PTI
Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s health condition stable, says hospital
The health condition of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is stable though he continued to have shortness of breath and be in a
state of drowsiness, an official said on Thursday. Bhattacharjee (77), who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19, is
presently conscious, alert and talking, he said. “Mr Bhattacharjee is stable but continues to be on BiPAP, requiring four litres of oxygen. His oxygen saturation
is at 92 percent and his blood pressure is also stable and his heart rate is 54 per minute,” the hospital official said in a statement. “Doctors are continuing to inject Remdesvir and other supportive measures. He is taking food orally. His urine output is also satisfactory,” he added.
PTI
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Centre scraps local trials for vaccines manufactured in other countries
In a statement on ‘Myth and Facts on India’s Vaccination Process’ , NITI Aayog member VK Paul said vaccines approved by regulatory bodies of different countries will not be required to undergo bridging trials in India. “The provision has now been further amended to waive off the trial requirement altogether for the well-established vaccines manufactured in other countries,” he is quoted as saying in the statement.
“The Central Government has proactively eased entry of vaccines approved by US FDA, EMA, UK’s MHRA and Japan’s PMDA, and WHO’s Emergency Use Listing into India in April. These vaccines will not need to undergo prior bridging trials. The provision has now been further amended to waive off the trial requirement altogether for the well-established vaccines manufactured in other countries. No application of any foreign manufacturer for approval is pending with the drugs controller,” the statement says.
#IndiaFightsCorona#Myth: Centre has not approved vaccines available globally#Fact: Government has proactively eased entry of vaccines approved by US FDA, EMA, UK's MHRA and Japan's PMDA, and WHO's Emergency Use Listing into India in April. #Unite2FightCorona
— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) May 27, 2021
2/7 pic.twitter.com/0azXdAQkyW
Coronavirus News LATEST Updates
Bombay HC seeks Maharashtra govt’s reply on plea seeking Z-plus security for SII CEO
The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to respond to a petition filed by an advocate seeking Z-plus security for Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII) which manufactures the Covishield vaccine against COVID-19. The petitioner will have to bear in mind while arguing this matter that “India has a good reputation and such proceedings will have an international impact”, the HC said. A vacation bench of Justices S S Shinde and N R Borkar noted that Poonawalla was doing a great service to the nation. The Union government has already granted ‘Y’ category security to the Pune-based industrialist.
PTI
News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building
At News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi, women from sports, cinema, and music discussed breaking barriers. Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra focused on equity in cinema, Mira Erda and Ashalata Devi on sports challenges, and Kavita Krishnamurti stressed humility and perseverance for lasting success.
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